Reply from Larry Manetti

For discussions about the long-rumored MPI movie

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golfmobile
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#11 Post by golfmobile »

James, do please set up something here. The petition that you linked to is probably not even known to the people at Universal, much less Grazer. There's so much on the internet, I'm sure they don't even bother to look for opinions (they probably think they know everything they need to know). If we have something in writing that we can place in their hot little hands, it might at least get them to read it. Just leaving it here, I have a feeling, won't do anything except entertain us.

golf
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IKnowWhatYoureThinking
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#12 Post by IKnowWhatYoureThinking »

Thanks for the link James. I signed that, and will be happy to sign one from Magnum Mania as well if we send one.

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J.J. Walters
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#13 Post by J.J. Walters »

Hey golf, if you have the time, can you go ahead and create the thread and, uh, handle the mailing? I'll "sticky" the thread. If not, maybe somebody else can take the "action item". ;)

I'm completely and utterly swamped on multiple fronts right now.

Thanks
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#14 Post by tidal pool »

James or golf,

When composing the letter, I see nothing wrong with also referencing the petition link that James posted. At least it will bring it to Grazer's attention.
TS or NO MOVIE!

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golfmobile
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#15 Post by golfmobile »

Huh-oh! Just had a dreadful thought!

What if, in writing to Grazer and pointing out that we are all writing because of our membership in the forums on this site, and Universal then comes to www.magnum-mania.com and tells James he has to shut it down because of all the copyright infringements of photos, sound bytes, logos, etc., etc.?? Or James has to pay royalties to keep everything up and running? Is everything here enough of "public domain" to pass this litmus test?

I don't want to be a tattle-tail (or is that "tattle-tale"?) and do anything to jeopardize the site!

I think if Universal could see this site and see how much interest there really is in the original show, that would be a good thing! But I don't want to risk getting this site kicked off the internet like that other MPI site (what was it? Dutch? German?) that DID get booted because of copyright violations.

What are the thoughts on this? I don't really see how we can prepare something to send if we don't identify who we are in relation to how we met at the site -- because without the combined interest, continuing enthusiasm, knowledge, and observations we share here, just one of us crying in the wilderness won't have much influence, I would think. It's the combined power of all of us together -- and we are together only here.

See what I mean? I need some input on this before I start anything definite.

In the meantime, what I was thinking of was -- going to several of the different threads about the movie -- what we want in it and want it to be -- and block and copy numerous posts and put them into one document to send as one package. I was also thinking of adding a few pages showing this site, printed off, e.g., the main page, the episodes page, to include with the package to show we are dedicated and detail-oriented Magnumites. But, again, that could put the site at risk.

So what's the general reaction here, gang? Will we be putting the site at risk if we use it as our starting point?

golf
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#16 Post by J.J. Walters »

Whoa golf, you are starting to freak me out a little bit! ;)

But seriously, I don't think we have to worry about the site getting yanked. I believe "Fair use" as provided for in Section 107 of the U.S. Copyright Law applies to the vast majority of the site. I don't sell anything. I don't use copyrighted cast or promo photos. I don't provide downloads for any of the commercially available songs ("Mama", "Tonight, Tonight, Tonight", etc.). The site is done in "good faith" and positively promotes the show and cast members.

Besides, I know at least two people from Universal who have already seen the site.

If something did come up, they would send a "cease and desist" order for something specific, like a copyrighted photo or something. I would comply and everything would be peachy. But I've never received anything like that, so all is good.
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#17 Post by golfmobile »

Okay, James, that's fine with me! I just didn't want to open up any bugaboos to cause problems. I certainly agree that the site positively promotes the show (and DVD sales, if you look at it that way . . . .) and the characters. I just wanted to be sure I didn't bring something to someone's attention who might have a problem with it. If you are comfortable with my using posts from, in essence, YOUR forum and mentioning the site and that the quotes come from the loyal fans who congregate here -- and work up a letter to send to Grazer, then I'm happy to work something up. I just didn't want to point a big red arrow here and then have it backfire on us.

Whatever I work up, when I get something in rough draft, I'll PM you and send it to you for "approval" since you are our Fearless Leader. I know you're very busy, but hopefully you'll have time to review what I prepare. Maybe, even, you could post it where you posted the pdf's of the unproduced scripts so everyone can read it and make suggestions as to polishing it.

How does that sound to everyone?

golf
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#18 Post by Carmen »

Sounds great!!
Can`t wait to sign up!
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#19 Post by tidal pool »

Good plan, golf! Here's a little background on our target, I mean contact...

Brian Grazer
Image

http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0004976/

In the Message Boards, someone references the fact that Grazer now owns the rights to MPI.

http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0004976/board/nest/8038470[/url]
TS or NO MOVIE!

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#20 Post by J.J. Walters »

Hey, thanks golf. I appreciate it.

Regarding the rights, Grazer and Imagine Entertainment have the rights to produce the bigscreen adaptation, but Universal still owns the distribution rights.

In light of the fact that the Grazer/Thurber production has already completed a script that needs a younger cast (the story begins before Magnum is a P.I.), and in fact they've already offered the lead role to McConaughey, I seriously doubt they would consider re-writing the script for the original cast. They seem hell bent on NOT using the original cast.

I think the focus from our end should be to support a TV MOVIE with the original cast. Selleck himself has proved with the successful Jesse Stone movies that this format is still viable. Selleck has had a long, amicable relationship with CBS. Surely it would be a ratings success. I don't see why this still couldn't work. But they need to do it soon!
Higgins: It's not a scratch! It's a bloody gouge!

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#21 Post by SelleckLover »

I agree with you James! :D

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#22 Post by Olivier »

Sparkle & Fizz wrote:Count me in for the letter writing campaign!
Me too ! They will see we write from all over the world :P .

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#23 Post by golfmobile »

I'm probably not going to get time to read through all the posts and find quotes to include until this weekend, but I'll try to include as many folks as I can.

For those members with whom it would be okay if I use some of your posts, please be sure your location is listed in your profile, so I can say, for example, "This is a quote from Olivier in France," etc.

I'm going to pitch for a "theater" movie initially, mainly because I think the producers probably won't make both a theatrical release AND a made-for-TV movie. Wouldn't they be competing with themselves if they do that? But I will try to point out how the "mini-Magnum, P.I." "reunion" on "Las Vegas" was so very highly rated, which shows an obvious interest in seeing the original cast back together again.

And I agree it will be time-consuming for them to get a working script, much less, ANOTHER working script, if the Grazer/Thurber contingency already has one they're ready to go with.

But if we don't try, we'll never know if a "write-in" campaign will do any good.

So I'll try to have a "working script" for us by this weekend. What I might do is post it on the Magnum GI site and then post a link HERE to it there so everyone can read it. Also, perhaps, that might expose the idea to a few others, though frankly I doubt that MGI has that many "fans" finding that blog that aren't already here. Did I say that right?

Stay tuned! You will all be advised when I have something to be reviewed by everyone.

golf
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#24 Post by Steve »

Brian Grazer.....Hmmmph.....I have never trusted any man that seems to spend more time on making his hair look like a mess than just combing it neatly and getting on with his life!!!

Anyway, count me in on any letter writing campaign....

Steve
Chicago

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#25 Post by tidal pool »

golf,

If possible, I highly recommend that you wear a Team Ring while you compose the letter. Obviously, no one will see it, but you will look good while you're writing. :wink: :lol:
TS or NO MOVIE!

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